Bunny Bread

I came up with this one this morning....

Use bunny face cookie cutter and cut out shape in whole wheat bread

Spread cream cheese over top

We used pink yogurt (we used gogurt) for ears and nose,

Cheerio's for eyes,

and craisin's or raisins for mouth

SO simple!

Hippity Hoppity Easter's On It's Way!

Easter is almost here!

What are you going to fill your kiddo's baskets with?

How about some of these...

- The Easter Story ( I know you can get inexpensive christian books at grocery stores such as Winco)
- Craisins, yogurt covered raisins, chocolate covered peanuts instead of candy
- Packets of seeds, shovel and a small watering can
- Side walk chalk
- Water color paints and paint brushes
- Bubbles
- Use a pail and bucket instead of a basket
- Cookie cutters
- Magnets
- Sunglasses
- Tooth brush and tooth paste

For more ideas check out this thrifty site: THRIFTY FUN

Also, here is a cute idea for lunches or snack this week:

Easter Egg Sandwiches
www.pillsbursy.com

Cut a PB&J sandwich into an egg shape. Cut lines and shapes from a fruit roll-up snack to adorn the top of the sandwiches so they look like decorated Easter eggs. Use dots of jelly to adhere the shapes to the sandwich top. Double yum!

Healthy Breakfast Cookies

Busy week?

Need something for you and the fam to grab and go?

Make these a day or two before and

your breakfast will be ready to go as you start your busy day!

Click on picture for website and original recipe

http://www.eatbetteramerica.com/

(this website is one of my FAVORITE recipe spots!)

Here is what you need:

Nonstick cooking spray
1/2 cup mashed banana (about 1 large)
1/2 cup chunky natural peanut butter (unsalted and unsweetened)
1/2 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup Gold Medal® whole wheat flour
1/4 cup nonfat dry milk powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup dried cranberries or raisins

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat two cookie sheets with cooking spray; set aside. In a large bowl, stir together banana, peanut butter, honey, and vanilla. In a small bowl, combine oats, flour, milk powder, cinnamon, and baking soda. Stir the oat mixture into the banana mixture until combined. Stir in dried cranberries.
2. Using a ¼-cup measure, drop mounds of dough 3 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. With a thin metal or small plastic spatula dipped in water, flatten and spread each mound of dough to a 2¾-inch round, about ½ inch thick.
3. Bake, one sheet at a time, for 14 to 16 minutes or until browned. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Store in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months; thaw before serving.

Painting Project

A friend of mine stumbled upon this blog: THE LITTLE PROJECT and it is so cute! Lots of super ideas for you and your kiddos. We did this activity at a baby shower I hosted and now my kids and I are going to do this project: The Village People . We are not going to go as far as they did on the blog, but we are going to paint our family as little wooden people. How cute is that? (Thanks Shannan for the idea!) I will post pictures when we are done. Here is a link where you can get the wooden dolls. DOLLS I bought acrylic paint from Wal-Mart and a pack of all different paint brushes. You might be able to do a one stop shopping trip at your local craft store too. Have fun and send me pictures if you do this project! I would love to show off your creativeness on the blog!

Sweet Stuffing

I know it's not "stuffing" season, but I decided to make a turkey dinner last night. I am NOT a stuffing fan (and I don't even know if this is how you make stuffing) but I made up a stuffing recipe that I would actually enjoy. Here it is and it is very simple to make!

2 apples chopped, cored and unpeeled
1/2 cup of candied walnuts
1/4 cup craisins
dash or two of cinnamon
A bunch of whole wheat bread crumbs (sorry I didn't measure those)

Saute apples, walnuts and craisins with a little bit of butter and cinnamon until apples are fairly soft. Place bread crumbs and sauteed items in bowl and mix around. Stuff turkey and PRESTO! It turned out really yummy!!

Branches

Have some old branches laying around your yard? I used some of our old branches at a baby shower I hosted this weekend. We hung white lights and lanterns off of them for a special touch. How cute would they be in a "fairy themed" room or a "forest themed" nursery? Obviously you don't have to go as big as I did, but you can spruce up your house for spring by putting branches in a vase with a sweet nest or birds perches on a branch.... oh the possibilities.

Home Made Biscuits

Is it sad to say that I have never made home made biscuits? (I usually use bisquick and add some of my own touch...) Well, today is the day! I am having family over for a turkey dinner and I felt it was finally time. Wish me luck!

Home Made Biscuits

click on title for original website

Ingredients:

2 cups sifted flour

2 tsp. baking powder

4 tablespoons butter or shortening

1/2 tsp. salt

about 3/4 cup milk

Sift Flour once, measure, add baking powder and salt, and sift again. Cut in shortening or butter. (this is where I use my hands by rubbing the butter into the flour). Add milk gradually, stirring until soft dough is formed. Turn out on slightly floured board and lightly "knead" for 30 seconds, enough to shape. Roll 1/2 inch thick and cut with 2 inch floured biscuit cutter. Bake on ungreased sheet in a 400 degree oven for 12-15 minutes. Makes 12 biscuits. You can also make tiny tea biscuits that are only 1 1/2 inches wide with a small cutter or glass bottom. These are great served with tea, jam or honey. Makes 24.

Now, should I make these sweet and add some vanilla or almond flavoring? Should I make them with some garlic and cheese? OR should I just leave them plain.... hmmmm....

GO OUTSIDE!

The sun is out and Spring Break is just around the corner...

Here are some outdoor things to keep your kids busy and you sane!

1. Side walk chalk (hop scotch, tic tac toe, draw a picture of everyone in the family or a welcome home sign for dad when the gets home for work, etc)

2. Bubbles (Poor bubble into a bowl and use plastic cookie cutters to blow cool shapes)

3. Wash your car (Kids love to help, although this might not keep you sane)

4. Plant some flowers (Local grocery stores usually have inexpensive flowers or seed packets that are easy to plant. Plus, kids love playing in the dirt!)

5. Nature Hunt (make a list of things for your kiddos to find while you go on a walk. The list can include pine cones, leaves, feathers, rocks, flowers, etc. Just make sure you bring a baggie or a bucket so they can bring their treasures home!)

6. Pick out a pet rock or two! (Search for the perfect rock, then stay outside and paint your new friend)

7. Go to the park (meet a friend or two at the park... surprise the mommas by bringing favorite coffee drinks for all to enjoy)

8. Bike ride (don't forget your helmet!)

9. Take your dog for a walk (Don't have one? Offer to take the neighbor's dog for a walk!)

10. Bake cookies (I know this doesn't require outside time, but it will when you walk them to your neighbors house for a sweet surprise!)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Don't forget to wear green today and don't forget to pinch those who don't!

Here are some St. Patrick's Day dinner ideas:

*Use pesto, broccoli, lime jello, lime yogurt, cucumbers,

green peppers, avocados, etc to make your dinner extra special*

*Add green food coloring to your favorite casserole*

*Add green food coloring to milk*

*Place a piece of lime in every one's water*

*Sprinkle their dinner with green sugar or salt*

Dessert Ideas:

*Green Sherbet*

*Mint Ice Cream*

*Top anything with green sugar*

OR

add them all together...

*Add your favorite green ice cream to 7-up, top with whip cream and sprinkle green sugar on top*

Shamrock Pretzel

Here is another simple St. Patrick's Day recipe from familyfun.go.com

(If you can't tell, I love that site!)

click on picture to see website and recipe

Ingredients
Canned refrigerated bread stick dough

Colored sugar
Cinnamon

Instructions
Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and lightly coat it with cooking spray.
To create the clover shape, mold 3 sections of bread sticks into hearts and press them together as shown. Attach a small stem, decorate, bake according to the package directions, and serve them up to your lucky guests.

Also, tonight is the night to set a trap for those sneaky leprechauns!

Here are a few fun ideas:

Leprechaun Traps

Over The Rainbow

Check out these colorful cupcakes!
Perfect for a St. Patrick Day celebration! TASTE A RAINBOW

click on above title to see website and recipe

Ingredients
White cake mix (we used an 18-1/4-ounce box)
Food coloring (red, blue, green, and yellow)
Baking cups
Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions
Prepare your favorite white cake mix, then divide the batter evenly among six small bowls. Following the chart below, dye each bowl of batter a rainbow color.

DROPS OF FOOD COLORING
Purple 9 red and 6 blue drops
Blue 12 drops

Green 12 drops

Yellow 12 drops
Orange 12 yellow and 4 red drops
Red 18 drops

Line 16 muffin pan wells with baking cups. Evenly distribute the purple batter among the cups, then the blue, and so on, following the order shown. As you go, gently spread each layer of batter with the back of a spoon to cover the color underneath.
Bake the cupcakes according to your recipe directions. Before serving, remove the paper wrapping, and if you like, top each cupcake with a whipped-cream cloud. I think they would be cute served on a plate with gold foil candy!

Here are the cupcakes we made today!

So much fun!

Also, here is a link to a printable St. Patrick's Day coloring sheet!

COLORING SHEET

St. Patrick's Day Fun

St. Patrick's Day is this Wednesday!

Here are some ideas to make the day a little more fun...

1. For breakfast, make green eggs and ham with food coloring
2. Give your kiddos green milk to drink... again just food coloring
3. Leave a special gift from a leprechaun in your child's room or at their place on the table. (bubbles, green socks, favorite candy, four leaf clover pencil, coloring book, etc)
4. Use green glitter or confetti to make your table a little more festive
5. Use green sprinkles on every day foods in your kids lunch.
6. Help your kiddos set a trap for leprechauns the night before.... you never know what they might leave behind... a hat, candy, glitter... maybe even a note!
7. Make a special St. Patrick's Day treat (recipes coming soon!) or if you don't have time... snack on Lucky Charms cereal all day!

Stay tuned!

I will be posting my favorite St. Patrick Day crafts and activities until Wednesday!

Sandwich Fun

My mom taught us this simple trick...

Have your kiddos use milk, food coloring and a clean paint brush to paint their bread before you turn it into a grilled cheese. Trust me, your kids will love it.

Good Morning Sunshine!

At Bible study this morning, something was mentioned about a 10 reasons to make your bed... only one of the reasons was talked about but I made a mental note to look up the list... sure enough, I found the list. I agree with all of these reasons but my main reason for making beds every morning is because it just feels good!

10 Reasons To Make Your Bed Every Morning
click on title to see website and original article

1. It makes the room more comfortable and relaxing
2. It will keep the entire room from becoming messy
3. Tucked in sheets will make you feel more secure when sleeping
4. It can be your first "checkmark" off the to-do list every day
5. It encourages mindfulness
6. It's more fun to bounce on a made bed
7. Keeps your feet warm so you don't have to wear socks to bed
8. It reduces the chance of bedbugs
9. Saves you time when actually going to bed
10. It will make you feel better about the home you leave behind when you go to work

5 Ways To Make Your Child's Day

5 cheap and fun preschooler activities
click on title for website and articles

Bathing in the pink
Or the green, or the blue… A few drops of food coloring can go a long way toward making bath time something special. It's especially fun to mix a couple of primary colors together, such as blue and red to make purple. And no, your child won't emerge from his bath looking like a grape – a few drops of food coloring diluted in a tub of water won't dye your child's skin.

Time travel
You know those old photographs of your own third birthday party or your ninth-grade dance? Dig them out and snuggle with your preschooler for a trip down memory lane. Wedding videos work well too! Of course, she'll also enjoy seeing pictures and videos of herself when she was "little." So break out the snacks and make an evening of it.

Ravishing radishes
When it comes to instant gardening gratification, radishes are the way to go – they pop up in a matter of weeks! After winter's last frost, take your preschooler to the gardening store and let him pick out the package of seeds with the picture he likes best. (It'll cost just a few dollars.) At home, find a sunny patch of yard and have your child plant the seeds directly in the ground or in a small planter. You can even grow radishes inside in a container set in a sunny south-facing window. Your little gardener will love digging a hole, sprinkling in the seeds, and covering them up. The fun continues as he gets to water the radishes and watch them grow.

Monochrome meal
We grown-ups like a little variety in our meals – but kids, who often love uniformity, get a kick out of having a special dinner in which everything is the same color. So serve up a meal that's entirely orange (macaroni and cheese, sweet potato, orange juice, carrots), green (pesto pasta, limeade, broccoli), or yellow (lemonade, scrambled eggs, corn, pineapple).

Hunting down nature
Give your child a bag or bucket and go on an old-fashioned nature hunt. Take your time and let him collect whatever he likes – pinecones, leaves, rocks, sticks, burrs. When you get home, break out the glue and cardboard and get him started making a collage or sculpture. He may also enjoy painting a rock or two (it could become his new favorite pet).

Organizing!

Time for spring cleaning! Here is a GREAT article on simple ways to organize your house... I would type they all out, but there are so many... and I love them all... too hard to pick a favorite. Enjoy! Let's Organize!

Quick Tips for Room Organization

Ring Toss

My little one saw this on Sprout TV and we are going to make it today... pictures to follow! Seems pretty easy... and fun!

RING TOSS

Here is our finished product!

Yum.

Low Fat Shortbread Cookies
click on title to see original recipe and website

Makes 24. Per cookie: 19 calories, 0 grams fat, 0 milligrams cholesterol, 4 grams carbohydrates, 0 grams fiber, .4 grams protein, 23 milligrams sodium.

3/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup fat-free margarine
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons butter flavor

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sift together flour and baking powder. Add remaining ingredients; blend well with a fork to form dough.
Form dough into a ball. Divide into 24 pieces; roll each into a ball. Place on nonstick cookie sheet; flatten with the bottom of a glass. Bake 10 minutes, until bottoms are light brown. Cool on a wire rack.
Top with your favorite topping... a friend inspired me to use cream cheese (you can use low fat) with your favorite fruit on top. I am going to use sliced strawberries. I will post a picture when I am done and let you know how they turn out! Thanks Mary for the inspiration... or should I say craving...?? :)

A sample of the final product...

this is right before it went into my mouth....

Yum! Yum! Yum!

PS I put almond flavoring in and they turned out delicious!

Roll Up Sandwiches

When I was little, my favorite cook book was Berry Yummy Cook Book. There was a recipe in it that my brother and I made over and over again. Luckily it was easy and needed little assistance from the grown-ups... check it out.

Roll Up Sandwiches

Cut crust off bread

Roll bread flat

Put favorite sandwich makings on bread (we always chose PB&J but ham & cheese or cream cheese & cucumber would be yummy too!)

Roll up sandwich and enjoy!

Its not much different than a sandwich, but different enough that we loved making it and eating it!

Secret Filth

A friend of mine mentioned that after watching The Today Show she threw out her kids bath toys... after watching this SECRET FILTH you probably will too! I know I am!!

Kids and Restaurants....

We have all been there... you know... trying to entertain our kids and trying to have a conversation with an adult all while waiting for our food to arrive at a restaurant...... not an easy task! Here is an idea that I LOVE! I found it on examiner.com. Not only did the author talk about having a busy bag for your kids, but she had the brilliant idea of bringing some paper plates and markers and letting the kids draw the dinner they were waiting for on the paper plate. So simple, right??

How do you keep your kids entertained at restaurants?

Pizza Faces!

Who doesn't love pizza?

This is a fun dinner project for you and your kids... how cute are these?? For the recipe and inspiration click on the picture...

family.go.com

Here is how I keep it simple:

Get a pre-made pizza crust (Boboli or Pillsbury)
Cut animals heads out of crust (or use the whole pizza crust as one big animal head)
Add sauce
Add cheese
Use your favorite pizza toppings to make the animal face(s)
Place in oven until golden brown and PRESTO! So easy and yummy!

Little Helpers

Do you have a youngster that is old enough to help but not old enough to read? I do! One way that my daughter helps is by putting her clothes in her dresser. I am not too picky about how she puts them away as long as they are in the right drawer... so I decided to tape a picture of the item of clothing that goes in the drawer. For example, we put a picture of pajama's on her pajama drawer. Take a look: